Visiting Nurse / Hospice Atlanta Blogs

Pay It Forward: Volunteer Opportunities with Hospice Atlanta

With Labor Day approaching, it’s a great time to remember that not all important and meaningful work comes with a paycheck.

Volunteering for a local organization is a good way to give back to your community by enriching the lives of others and yourself. With kids back in school, you may have time to dedicate to volunteering as well.

If you are looking for volunteer opportunities in and around the Atlanta area, look no further than Hospice Atlanta Center, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2016. Hospice Atlanta Center, operated by Visiting Nurse Health System—Georgia’s largest home health and hospice care provider—offers holistic hospice care to over 1,700 patients per year.

With the Center, in-home and pediatric hospice care, Hospice Atlanta ensures patients and their families get the treatment and support they need to live out the end of their lives in comfort and with dignity. Hospice Atlanta offers a wide variety of volunteer opportunities, which means there is a job for nearly everyone.

Why should you volunteer at Hospice Atlanta?

Volunteering with Hospice Atlanta is unique because it allows people to make a significant impact in the lives of patients and their families. Hospice Atlanta works not only to ease the suffering of its patients, but also helps the families cope by offering bereavement services for 13 months after a patient has passed away.

While volunteering can be challenging and at times might trigger an emotional response, the work is important. Ann Serrie, volunteer coordinator for Hospice Atlanta, says her volunteers often feel they are just as rewarded as the patients they help.

“This is an environment for some that is very scary, but it can also be sacred, and to be able to be with somebody on their journey and make their life as fulfilling as possible in their last days is just such a gift and a privilege,” Serrie says.

Who volunteers?

Current volunteers at Hospice Atlanta range from ages 16 to 86. Volunteers might be students who are looking to fulfill community service hours, to elderly people who want to comfort patients and families during a difficult time. Anyone can be a volunteer as long as they are willing to commit their time to helping the patients and staff of Hospice Atlanta.

Around 60 percent of the volunteers have had a loved one in hospice care at some point in their lives, but many volunteers have not had previous experience with hospice.

What do volunteers do?

The two main functions of volunteers with Hospice Atlanta are companionship and caregiver respite. Companionship means spending time talking to, praying with, or even just sitting quietly with patients in both the inpatient center or in an individual’s home. Companionship is often a great option for outgoing volunteers who love to talk with patients and listen to their amazing stories.

Caregiver respite is also an essential function of Hospice Atlanta volunteers. Volunteers who provide caregiver respite go into patients’ homes and monitor them while their primary caregiver is away. Serrie says caregiver respite gives families peace of mind knowing that the volunteer is in the home with their loved one, even if just for a short period of time.

Although companionship and caregiver respite are the main ways to volunteer, there are several other ways to get involved.

  • If you have a special talent, such as playing an instrument or singing, you can perform for the hospice patients.
  • The Pet Peace of Mind program allows animal-loving volunteers to take care of a hospice patient’s pets when the patient is unable to do so.
  • If volunteering for camp interests you, Camp STARS—a weekend-long bereavement camp—provides families who have just lost a loved one with coping mechanisms and bonding time with other families in the same situation.
  • If you do not want to volunteer for patient care, you can volunteer in administration by putting together mailings and application packets.

How do I become a volunteer?

In order to become a volunteer, Hospice Atlanta requires that you attend a training session that will prepare you for work in hospice care and place you with the right volunteer duty. Training sessions take place several times a year, either over a weekend, or over the course of four evenings. Prospective volunteers must complete a volunteer application with two references, a background check, and, once you become an official volunteer, a tuberculosis screening.

Visit volunteer to find out more information about upcoming training dates and to complete prospective volunteer forms.

Currently, Hospice Atlanta is in need of more volunteers that live outside I-285 to help with outpatient hospice, as well as Veterans for the We Honor Veterans program.

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Join us for our 3rd Annual Resilience Event on May 17th, 2025.

This FREE event is designed to support those on the grief journey.
Participants will have the opportunity to:
• Hear from others who understand the grief journey.
• Engage in grief break-out groups for shared support.
• Receive tangible tools to cope with loss and grief.
Together, we can build resilience and support each other through grief. Registration Required.

#hospiceatlanta #visitingnursehealthsystem #grief

Space Is Still Available - Sign Up Today!

Join us for our 3rd Annual Resilience Event on May 17th, 2025.

This FREE event is designed to support those on the grief journey.
Participants will have the opportunity to:
• Hear from others who understand the grief journey.
• Engage in grief break-out groups for shared support.
• Receive tangible tools to cope with loss and grief.
Together, we can build resilience and support each other through grief. Registration Required.

#hospiceatlanta #visitingnursehealthsystem #grief
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As we continue to celebrate our volunteers during National Volunteer Appreciation Week & Month, enjoy this message from one of our longtime volunteers and supporters sharing on why folks volunteer!

Barry gives to our community donating his time and talent in many ways impacting many around the globe, including helping individuals on their grief journey through TGBeyond! Thank you for all you do Barry!

#volunteer #volunteerappreciation #visitingnursehealthsystem #hospiceatlanta #TGBeyond

As we continue to celebrate our volunteers during National Volunteer Appreciation Week & Month, enjoy this message from one of our longtime volunteers and supporters sharing on why folks volunteer!

Barry gives to our community donating his time and talent in many ways impacting many around the globe, including helping individuals on their grief journey through TGBeyond! Thank you for all you do Barry!

#volunteer #volunteerappreciation #visitingnursehealthsystem #hospiceatlanta #TGBeyond
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Good luck tonight taking on the Miami Heat!
#GoHawks #visitingnursehealthsystem #hospiceatlanta

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Here are some Visiting Nurse | Hospice Atlanta employees and their loved ones, cheering on the Hawks last weekend!
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We’re proud to share our President and CEO, Dorothy Davis, joined other Georgia healthcare leaders this week in Washington DC, gathering April 9 for LeadingAge Lobby Day.
The team meet with both Republican and Democratic representatives to ensure healthcare and choice remain an option for seniors.
As Visiting Nurse began over 76 years ago, our mission is to improve the lives of those we serve, and we carried the voices of our patients and caregivers to the Georgia representatives.
We honor this dedicated team of healthcare leaders (Ginny Helms, Deke Cateau, Chris Keysor, Karon Nixon) committed to work in connection directly with local and federal policymakers, to continue helping to drive meaningful change and create a more equitable healthcare system for all. Thank you to these strong leaders, for their unwavering dedication and for being a voice for those who need it most.
#HealthcareEquality #Advocacy #Leadership #MakingADifference #leadingage #washington #visitingnursehealthsystem
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Please join us in congratulation Jacqueline and enjoy the full press release on our website www.vnhs.org

Visiting Nurse Health System is proud to announce that Jacqueline Ralph-Blair was recognized by Modern Healthcare as one of the Leading Women for 2025. This prestigious recognition program acknowledges and honors women executives from all sectors of the healthcare industry for their contributions to care delivery improvement, health equity, policy and gender equity in healthcare leadership. Congratulations Jacqueline!

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Please join us in congratulating Regina on this well-deserved recognition. Regina, we are so grateful you choose Visiting Nurse each day! #EmployeeOfTheMonth #TeamSuccess #Congratulations

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Regina`s dedication, innovation, and exceptional teamwork have not only driven her success but have also inspired those around her. Her commitment to excellence and her ability to lead with passion have been instrumental to Visiting Nurse for over a decade now!

Please join us in congratulating Regina on this well-deserved recognition. Regina, we are so grateful you choose Visiting Nurse each day! #EmployeeOfTheMonth #TeamSuccess #Congratulations
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Great kick off to the first day of the 2025 LeadingAge Georgia Annual Conference!
This year`s theme is "Ripples of Impact," as Georgia`s leaders converge to discover new solutions, empower members to make a rippling impact to Georgia`s seniors, families, and communities!
Meet LeadingAge Georgia Leaders: Ginny Helms, President & CEO LeadingAge Georgia, and Dorothy Davis, our Visiting Nurse|Hospice Atlanta President & CEO who is LeadingAge Georgia Board Chair, and LeadingAge National Policy Team Member.
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Celebrating our Super Hero, Hawks player Onyeka Okongwu or "Big O" , pictured here with our President & CEO Dorothy Davis, during pregame warm ups!
Not only is he incredible on the court, but he`s also making a lasting impact off the court! Big O supported Camp STARS campers this year`s Hospice Atlanta Camp STARS family bereavement camp. Thank you, Big O, for being a star in so many ways! 🌟
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🌿 Share your favorite spring activities or health tips in the comments below!🌿

#SpringIntoHealth&Rebirth #AgingInPlace #mindfulness #you

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As we embrace the arrival of spring, we`re reminded of the beauty and renewal this season brings. Here at Visiting Nurse | Hospice Atlanta, we are here for you in all seasons of life`s journey.

🌿 Share your favorite spring activities or health tips in the comments below!🌿

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You're Invited! 
Join us for a day of connection, support, and healing at our 3rd Annual Resilience Event on May 17th, 2025.
Registration Required.

This FREE event is designed to support those on the grief journey. Participants will have the opportunity to:
•	Hear from others who understand the grief journey.
•	Engage in grief break-out groups for shared support.
•	Receive tangible tools to cope with loss and grief.

Together, we can build resilience and support each other through grief.
#hospiceatlanta #visitingnursehealthsystem #grief

You`re Invited!
Join us for a day of connection, support, and healing at our 3rd Annual Resilience Event on May 17th, 2025.
Registration Required.

This FREE event is designed to support those on the grief journey. Participants will have the opportunity to:
• Hear from others who understand the grief journey.
• Engage in grief break-out groups for shared support.
• Receive tangible tools to cope with loss and grief.

Together, we can build resilience and support each other through grief.
#hospiceatlanta #visitingnursehealthsystem #grief
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